Retail display rack

ABSTRACT

A display stand has a pair of vertical standards connected by two tie members having ends vertically spaced from each other. Horizontal feet coupled to a lower end of the vertical standards project forward from the vertical standards. Two buttress rods having a lower end coupled to a projecting portion of the feet and an upper end coupled to one of the vertical standards. At least one generally horizontal display rod includes depending hooks adapted to receive goods to be displayed. Signage panels can be fixed between each of the buttress rods and the adjacent vertical standard as well as above and below the upper tie member to attract customers to the displayed goods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims all available benefit of co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 60/833,366 filed Jul. 26, 2006.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to material handling of sheet goods and, specifically, to display racks for sheet goods such as desk mats, floor mats, carpet mats and chair mats used to protect an underlying surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a rack for displaying such sheet goods in an attractive manner that is designed to ease the handling, and improve marketability of such sheet goods.

Desk mats and chair mats for office and home use are well known. Such mats can be applied over carpeting and can have short and often relatively sharp spikes on the undersides thereof which hold the mats firmly in place on the carpeting. Such mats can be difficult to carry and/or otherwise handle safely. A purchaser of such mats is sometimes faced with gripping the mat about one or two of the edges often resulting in irritation if not injury to the hands due to the spikes projecting from the underside of the mat.

Such mats are now being found increasingly in retail outlets, compounding the need for a safe display of such goods. While such mats may be boxed, the boxes add cost and can be themselves unwieldy. As a result, boxes are not used to any great extent in the retail environment. Thus, with increasing retail activity, new displays are also required. Such mats present display problems since, absent the use of boxes, they do not stand alone unless wound. Even standing on edge in a wound or partially wound state, however, the mats are relatively unstable.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,852 discloses a rack for displaying merchandise, especially flat sample pieces of carpets, tiles, or other sheet goods. The rack has two spaced-apart standards which rest on two forward protruding feet-like flat plates. A bar extends laterally between and interconnects the two standards. A signage panel extends between the two standards above the bar. A plurality of carriers are received on the bar, each carrier having a flat upright body with an opening or hook at an upper end engaging the bar. Each carrier body has a pair of offset hooks to form a bracket for engagement with a handle of the merchandise.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,830 discloses another display rack for sheet goods that has a plurality of vertical uprights disposed in laterally spaced relation and cross connected at their upper and lower ends by horizontal bars to form a generally rectangular framework which may support a peg board or other planar panel. The two outer-most uprights have a plurality of spaced slotted openings extending in a vertical alignment along one face. Legs extend forward and rearward from the bottom ends of the outer-most uprights to hold the frame in an upright operating condition. An assembly for vertically extending the display area has a pair of upright extension tubes. Each extension tube has a protruding mounting hanger connected into one of the slotted openings in the vertical uprights. Brackets fasten each extension tube, above and below the mounting hanger to the vertical upright. One or more horizontal cross bars extend between the extension tubes. Each horizontal cross bar has elongated retention rods protruding forward as merchandise display elements on which sheet goods can be displayed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,842 discloses a display stand specifically for displaying mats for retail purchase, the mats being folded over so that the spikes are within the folded mat. The display stand has a pair of vertical standards, braced by horizontal reinforcement rods, which are supported on a pair of leg assemblies. The leg assemblies include horizontal feet having vertical extensions that are telescoped within the lower ends of standards and secured at a desired vertical position by a conventional detent mechanism. A horizontal display rod is fixed perpendicularly to one of the reinforcement rods using a conventional fastener. A number of display hooks are fixed to the display rod by any suitable means so that the folded mats can be suspended from the hooks. An advertising panel can be added between the standards above the display rod within grooves in the standards or by other suitable means.

There remains a need for even better displays having enhanced signage space, with product related graphics designed to attract customers to the displayed goods, that are sufficiently robust to withstand the wear caused by the stocking and selection activities of particularly heavy sheet goods, for example, folded desk chair mats and floor mats.

SUMMARY

One such display stand has a pair of vertical standards and at least two tie members having ends vertically spaced from each other, the ends of the tie members being fixed to the vertical standards. A pair of horizontal feet are coupled to a lower end of the vertical standards. The feet can be generally perpendicular to the tie members so that ends of the feet project forward from the vertical standards. The display stand can include at least two buttress rods, each buttress rod having a lower end coupled to a projecting portion of one of the feet and an upper end coupled to one of the vertical standards. A generally horizontal display rod, adapted to receive goods to be displayed, can be fixed between the buttress rods to project forward substantially parallel to the feet. A signage panel can be fixed between each of the buttress rods and the adjacent vertical standard.

In one embodiment, one of the tie members of the display stand can extend horizontally between the vertical standards, spaced downwardly from the vertical standards upper ends, at the upper ends of the buttress members. The display stand can include a support member extending between the buttress rods in front of a first tie member, the display rod being coupled to the support member and the first tie member. A row of hooks can depend from the display rod to facilitate stocking and selection of the goods to be displayed. A signage panel can be situated between the vertical standards above the horizontal display rod. Another rearwardly facing signage panel can be situated between the vertical standards between the feet and the display rod. Laterally facing signage panels can be situated between the vertical standards and the buttress rods.

One feature of the present display stand is its enhanced stability and strength, which assures longer life under the rigors of heavy product display usage. Another feature of the present display stand is its enhanced signage space, which provides for product related graphics designed to attract customers to the displayed goods. Other features of the present display stands and the corresponding advantages of those features will be come apparent from the following discussion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, exemplifying the best mode of practicing the present invention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display stand of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display stand of the present invention displaying folded desk chair mats.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the display stand shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the display stand shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display stand 10. The display stand 10 is shown to have a pair of side members 12. Each side member 12 is shown to have a vertical standard 14 having an upper end 16 and a lower end 18. A horizontal foot or base member 20 is fixed to the lower end 18. The horizontal foot 20 has a forward end 22 and a rearward end 24. The lower end 18 of the vertical standard 14 can be centered between the forward end 22 and the rearward end 24, but is shown to be offset so that the forward end 22 projects forward by a distance that is greater than the rearward projection of the rearward end 24.

Each side member 12 also includes a buttress rod 26 having a lower end 28 fixed to a forward projecting portion 30 of the horizontal foot 20. The lower end 28 of the buttress rod 26 can be fixed to the forward end 22 of the horizontal foot 20, but is shown to be fixed at a point 32 spaced from the forward end 22. An upper end 34 of the buttress rod 26 is fixed to an upper portion 36 of the vertical standard 14. The upper end 34 of the buttress rod 26 can be fixed to the upper end 16 of the vertical standard 14, but is shown to be fixed at a point 38 spaced downward from the upper end 16. The buttress rod 26 can be linear so as to extend directly between points 32 and 38, but is shown to include a substantially horizontal portion 40 and an inclined portion 42 joined by a curved portion 44.

The side members 12 can be coupled together in spaced relation by tie members 46 and 48. The upper tie member 46 includes ends 50 and 52 that can be coupled to forward facing surfaces 54 of the vertical standards 14. The lower tie member 46 includes ends 56 and 58 that can be coupled to the forward facing surfaces 54 of the vertical standards 14. The tie members 46 and 48 are shown to be substantially horizontally parallel, but could be diagonal and/or overlapping in cross-bracing fashion. The tie member ends 50 and 56 are desirably vertically spaced from each other as are the other ends 52 and 58. The side members 12 are desirably coupled to each other so that the horizontal feet 20 coupled to the lower ends 18 of the vertical standards 14 are generally parallel to each other.

A first display support rod 60 can be coupled to inside surfaces 62 of the vertical standards 14 or to inside surfaces 64 of the buttress rods 26. A second display support rod 66 can be coupled to the inside surfaces 64 of the buttress rods 26 at a position spaced forward from display support rod 60. The display support rods 60 and 66 can be parallel to each other and can be equally spaced from the horizontal feet 20. At least one display rod 68 can be coupled to the display support rods 60 and 66 between the buttress rods 26. The number of display rods 68 may be selected as a function of the geometry and other characteristics of the goods to be displayed. Only a single display rod 68 is shown situated midway between the buttress rods 26 and situated generally parallel to the horizontal feet 20. A plurality of coupling members such as hooks 70 can be fixed to an under surface 72 of the display rod 68. The number and character of the coupling members 70 may be selected as a function of the geometry and other characteristics of the goods to be displayed.

A first signage panel 74 can be fixed between the two vertical standards 14 generally above the display support rod 60. The first signage panel 74 can include suitable commercial and/or informational messages on both a forward facing surface 76 and a rearward facing surface 78. A second signage panel 80 can be fixed between the two vertical standards 14 generally below the display support rod 60. The second lower signage panel 80 can include suitable commercial and/or informational messages on both a forward facing surface 82 and a rearward facing surface 84, however some consideration should probably be given to the likelihood that the forward facing surface 82 may be substantially hidden or concealed by any goods displayed from the display rods 68, as seen, for example in FIGS. 2 and 4. Laterally facing signage panels 86 can be included between each buttress rod 26 and the adjacent vertical standard 14. Any commercial and/or informational messages would generally only appear on the outward facing surface 88 of the laterally facing signage panels 86 due to the likely concealment by the goods displayed from the display rods 68. It will be noted from FIG. 2 that the laterally facing signage panels 86 may also contribute to the concealment of the forward facing surface 82 of the second lower signage panel 80.

FIGS. 2-4 show a display stand 10 as previously described being used as a display for desk chair mats 90. The desk chair mat 90 is shown to have a longitudinal fold line 92 and the chair mat 90 is shown to be folded in half about the fold line 92. Preferably, if the underside of the desk chair mat 90 is formed with integral spikes, the spikes will face inwardly when the chair mat 90 is in the folded condition. The chair mats 90 can be provided with a pair of handles 94 on opposite side edges 96 thereof, such that the handles 94 are aligned when the chair mat 90 is folded. A wrap 98 can be provided that extends about the folded chair mat 90 perpendicularly to the fold line 92. The chair mat 90 can also be provided with at least one hang tab 100 along a third edge 102 thereof. The chair mat 90 can be suspended from at least one of the hooks 70 by the hang tab 100. This combination of the folded chair mats 90 and hanging display 10 provides enhanced signage space on which product related graphics can be presented that are designed to attract customers to the displayed goods, the display 10 being sufficiently robust to withstand the wear caused by the stocking and selection activities of the heavy sheet goods represented, for example, by the folded desk chair mats 90.

While these features have been disclosed in connection with the illustrated preferred embodiment, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art that come within the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A display stand comprising: a pair of vertical standards, at least two tie members having ends vertically spaced from each other, the ends of the at least two tie members being fixed to the vertical standards, a pair of horizontal feet coupled to the a lower end of the vertical standards so that the feet are perpendicular to the tie members, the feet having ends projecting forward from the vertical standards, at least two buttress rods, each buttress rod having a lower end coupled to a projecting portion of one of the feet and having an upper end coupled to one of the vertical standards, a generally horizontal display rod adapted to receive goods to be displayed, the display rod being fixed between the buttress rods substantially parallel to the feet, and a panel fixed between each of the buttress rods and the adjacent vertical standard.
 2. The display stand of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tie members comprises a horizontal member.
 3. The display stand of claim 1, wherein an uppermost of the tie members is spaced downwardly from the vertical standards upper ends.
 4. The display stand of claim 1, wherein a first of the tie members extends between the vertical standards at the upper ends of the buttress rods.
 5. The display stand of claim 4, further comprising a support member extending between the buttress rods in front of the first tie member, the display rod being coupled to the support member and the first tie member.
 6. The display stand of claim 1 or 5, further comprising a row of hooks depending from the display rod.
 7. The display stand of claim 6, further comprising a panel situated between the vertical standards above the horizontal display rod.
 8. The display stand of claim 5, further comprising a rearwardly facing panel situated between the vertical standards between the feet and the display rod.
 9. The display stand of claim 8, wherein the feet also project rearwardly from the vertical standards.
 10. A display stand comprising: a pair of vertical standards, horizontal feet coupled to the a lower end of the vertical standards so that the feet have ends projecting forward from the vertical standards, at least two buttress rods, each buttress rod having a lower end coupled to a projecting portion of one of the feet and having an upper end coupled to one of the vertical standards, a tie member coupled to the vertical standards at the upper ends of the buttress rods, a support member extending between the buttress rods in front of the tie member, and a generally horizontal display rod adapted to receive goods to be displayed, the display rod being fixed to the support member and the tie member between the buttress rods substantially parallel to the feet.
 11. The display stand of claim 10, wherein the feet also project rearwardly from the vertical standards.
 12. The display stand of claim 11, further comprising a rearwardly facing panel situated between the vertical standards between the feet and the tie member.
 13. The display stand of claim 12, further comprising a panel situated between the vertical standards above the display rod.
 14. The display stand of claim 13, further comprising a panel fixed between each of the buttress rods and the adjacent vertical standard.
 15. The display stand of claim 14, further comprising a row of hooks depending from the display rod.
 16. The display stand of claim 15, further comprising tie members fixed to a front surface of both the vertical standards at two locations between the buttress rods and the feet.
 17. A display stand comprising: a pair of vertical standards, horizontal feet coupled to the a lower end of the vertical standards so that the feet have ends projecting forward from the vertical standards generally parallel to each other, at least two buttress rods, each buttress rod having a lower end coupled to a projecting portion of one of the feet and having an upper end coupled to an upper portion of one of the vertical standards, a tie member coupled to the vertical standards between upper ends of the buttress rods and the feet, a support member extending between the buttress rods in front of the tie member, a generally horizontal display rod adapted to receive goods to be displayed, the display rod being fixed to the support member between the buttress rods substantially parallel to the feet, a panel situated between the vertical standards above the display rod, and a laterally outwardly facing panel fixed between each of the buttress rods and the adjacent vertical standard.
 18. The display stand of claim 17, wherein the tie member coupled to the vertical standards between the buttress rods and the feet comprises a rearwardly facing panel.
 19. The display stand of claim 18, further comprising tie members fixed to a front surface of the vertical standards at two locations between the buttress rods and the feet.
 20. The display stand of claim 19, further comprising a row of hooks depending from the display rod. 